Two Patriots defensive players say they are not fans of Massachusetts’ “millionaire tax,” and agree with former head coach Bill Belichick that players prefer states without income taxes.
Davon Godchaux and Keion White talked about financial freedom and education on Godchaux’s podcast “ChauxTalk” on Wednesday, days after Belichick suggested the millionaire tax would make it harder for New England to sign the best free agents.
“No, you know what also pissed me off? When I came here, there was this additional 4% millionaire tax here too,” White told Godchaux. “That’s going to hit you, too.”
Godchaux responded, “Absolutely. Massachusetts is bad, too, as far as state taxes go. It’s terrible. It’s right up there with New York and LA. I just heard Bill Belichick talking about it… how difficult it was to sign free agents in Massachusetts because there are so many state taxes.”
“I mean, guys, if you can sign with a team these days that doesn’t have to pay state taxes, do it because that will leave more money in your pocket,” the defensive tackle said.
The voter-approved “millionaire tax” raised about $2.2 billion in the last fiscal year, a massive sum that exceeded the initial projections of Governor Maura Healey’s administration, with the additional tax earmarked for transportation and education projects.
Beacon Hill decided to spend only $1 billion in additional tax revenue in the fiscal year 2024 budget and leave any amounts collected above that amount for reserve accounts.
About $524 million went to education initiatives, including $229 million to allow people age 25 and older to earn a degree or certificate at any community college for free. Another $477 million was earmarked for education projects, including improving accessibility at MBTA stations.
But Godchaux and White stressed that they had no idea what the taxpayer money was being spent on.
“What does the Bible say you have to pay taxes? That’s what kills me,” Godchaux said. “They say the tax money goes to roads and stuff. The roads are still in bad shape. Where does the money go? That’s the only thing I have a problem with.”
White agreed and stressed the importance of voting.
“A lot of money is being spent in stupid ways,” he said. “It’s 2024, we should be able to decide where our money goes. Like every time you file your taxes, you can click on programs you want to distribute your tax money to.”
White, a 25-year-old defensive end selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $7.7 million contract last summer. Godchaux, 29, agreed last month to a two-year extension worth up to $21 million, with $16.5 million in guaranteed salary.
“When you get paid, when I get paid, you have to pay federal taxes, you have to pay state taxes, you have to pay agent fees and then you have to live off the rest,” Godchaux said. “Everyone thinks if you sign a $20 million contract that the whole $20 million is yours, but no.”
Belichick, who left Foxboro in January after a legendary run and is scheduled to work as a TV commentator this season, made his case Monday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“It’s Taxachusetts,” he said. “Virtually every player, even the practice squad, well, the minimum player income is pretty close to $1 million. Once you get to that $1 million threshold, you start paying more taxes in Massachusetts. That’s just another thing you have to deal with in the negotiations up there.”
Bill Belichick: Massachusetts’ “millionaire tax” is a reason why the Patriots can’t sign top NFL free agents
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